The Magic Sleeve

Journey to the West 29 The Magic Sleeve

I know we counted the fruit correctly, ” said one priest. “ But we’ll count again anyway. ” The two angry priests went outside and gasped. The ginseng tree was lying on the ground. It was gray, and all its leaves were gone. “ The tree is dead! ” cried one priest. “ That monkey must have done this. ”

“ But the monkey was inside the whole time, ” said the other priest. “ How could he have been out here also?” “ He’s a spirit, ” said the first priest. “ He must have used magic. ” He looked at the tree and shook his head. “ This tree was older than Heaven and Earth. The monkey must be very powerful. ”

“ It would be dangerous for us to fight him, ” said the other priest. “ Let’s wait for our master, the Great Immortal, to return. ” Inside the abbey the Tang Monk was scolding his companions. “ We are guests here, ” he said. “ I am very upset you stole fruit from our hosts. ” The priests came back in.

“ We owe you an apology, ” said one. “ None of the ginseng fruit is missing after all. ” “ Oh, ” said the Tang Monk. “ I’m glad to hear that. ” “ Thank you for your apology, ” said Bajie. Wukong gave the priests a suspicious look. He knew they were lying. But he didn’t know why. “ You’re all welcome to spend the night, ” said one of the priests. “ Follow us. ”

The priests led the group to a small room in the abbey. The Tang Monk and his companions went inside. “ This is a nice room, ” said Bajie. Wukong noticed that the priests didn’t come in. He was about to say something when one priest slammed the door shut. A lock clicked.